The Great Lakes -- Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Superior -- are among the most important bodies of water in the world. They are the largest readily accessible source of freshwater on Earth – roughly 20 percent of the total supply -- and contain more than 80 percent of North America’s surface water supply.

Ways to Connect

The Cumming Nature Center is a little oasis about an hour's drive south of Rochester, N.Y. Miles of quiet trails meander through swamplands and towering pine trees. It’s a great place to talk about citizen science.

About 40 people testified last week at a public hearing on a potential offshore wind farm in Lake Erie.

The majority of people who spoke at Cleveland City Hall presented favorable testimony to the Ohio Power Siting Board, which will take public comments into account before deciding whether to certify the project. The board's staff recently released a report endorsing the project; it included 34 recommendations for the developer.

Many are heading to the beach to escape the hot temperatures this summer, only to find the water is closed. Now, a group of researchers is trying out a new method that could deliver water testing results faster.